Aussie Again
Mar 18, 2021, 3:44 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2016
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Aussie Again
Had noticed a few days ago that flight availability to/from places like Perth, Adelaide had not be loaded for April/May, Have just looked now and are now loaded from 19 April on so is that telling us something. Fares are on the pricey side though.
Mar 18, 2021, 3:51 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
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Link--->https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ocea...l#post33108296
18 Mar 2021 (rnz.co.nz)----> Plans under way for trans-Tasman bubble by end of April
18 Mar 2021 (stuff.co.nz)--->Trans-Tasman bubble expected to start by the middle of April
Government plans for a travel bubble between New Zealand and Australia are now in full swing - RNZ understands the plan is to have it in place by the end of April.
<snip>
New Zealand's hand "has been forced", he believes, after Australia backed out of talks in February. "So New Zealand has to act unilaterally in the same way that Australia has done towards New Zealand for quite some time. "Australia has had open travel to New Zealanders, for the most part, since October last year; it's been frustrating to the Australians New Zealand did not return the favour.
<snip>
<snip>
New Zealand's hand "has been forced", he believes, after Australia backed out of talks in February. "So New Zealand has to act unilaterally in the same way that Australia has done towards New Zealand for quite some time. "Australia has had open travel to New Zealanders, for the most part, since October last year; it's been frustrating to the Australians New Zealand did not return the favour.
<snip>
Mar 18, 2021, 5:03 pm
#3
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,645
I'd wait. Not sure why they would be adding them before an announcement. Unless it's to get money to put into flight credits.
Also big catch no travel insurance is going to cover you if the bubble stops and need to stay in Aussie for an extended period.....
Also big catch no travel insurance is going to cover you if the bubble stops and need to stay in Aussie for an extended period.....
Mar 18, 2021, 5:06 pm
#4
Join Date: Feb 2007
Programs: NZ Koru
Posts: 6,414
Also noticed that AKL-MEL/SYD/BNE have flights loaded from mid April. Although not think aircraft types are correct as some include 777s but it’s an reduced schedule compared to pre-covid.
SYD - 3-4x daily
BNE - 2x daily
MEL - 1x daily
OOL - 1x daily
Monday the 19 April seems to be the magic date , they are working towards.
Which is also school holiday’s I think?
SYD - 3-4x daily
BNE - 2x daily
MEL - 1x daily
OOL - 1x daily
Monday the 19 April seems to be the magic date , they are working towards.
Which is also school holiday’s I think?
Mar 18, 2021, 5:38 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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CHC-MEL/SYD/BNE have also been loaded for the 18-19 April
Air NZ being very optimistic with so many flights on full TT bubble day 1.
Air NZ will be close to the NZ Govt for a TT announcement.
Edit
ZQN-SYD/MEL from 19 April
Air NZ being very optimistic with so many flights on full TT bubble day 1.
Air NZ will be close to the NZ Govt for a TT announcement.
Edit
ZQN-SYD/MEL from 19 April
Last edited by Mwenenzi; Mar 18, 2021 at 5:46 pm
Mar 18, 2021, 5:50 pm
#6
Join Date: Feb 2007
Programs: NZ Koru
Posts: 6,414
If it gets announced on Monday I would expect an 48/72hr Tasman sale this week. With low entry point fares to create demand and get people back into travelling on the Tasman again.
Remember in early March 2020 they did that $69 Seat Only Tasman sale. I would expect something along the lines of that again to build demand.
Also plenty of New Zealanders have credit with NZ to use.
Mar 18, 2021, 7:57 pm
#7
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School holidays start 17 April, finish 02 May:
Term 1
Term 1
- starts between Monday 1 February and Tuesday 9 February
- ends Friday 16 April
- starts Monday 3 May
- ends Friday 9 July
Last edited by NewbieRunner; Mar 22, 2021 at 7:12 am Reason: Font size
Mar 18, 2021, 8:45 pm
#8
Join Date: Apr 2018
Programs: NZ *G
Posts: 90
Right, what's the strategy now to minimize the risk of disruption for 1-week business travel? Base is WLG, and I understand the possibility of a 3+ day closure. Should I fly direct from WLG? Or connect via AKL because there are more scheduled options in case of cancellations or closure? I'm thinking that direct in/out (no internal AU flights) is probably the way to go for the time being.
Mar 18, 2021, 9:18 pm
#9
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In AU some people are reluctant to cross a state border, particularly the QLD state borders.
May improve over time.
Mar 18, 2021, 10:43 pm
#10
Join Date: Nov 2017
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Yeah. For me, a bubble isn't really a bubble I am interested in, if cases could result in me landing in MIQ on the way home from my holiday. I really want to travel again, but not like this. I think its great for people with more serious reasons to go and risk it (see: visiting family) but for a foodie holiday to go dine around Melbourne for a week? No thanks.
Mar 18, 2021, 10:51 pm
#11
Join Date: Feb 2007
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Yeah. For me, a bubble isn't really a bubble I am interested in, if cases could result in me landing in MIQ on the way home from my holiday. I really want to travel again, but not like this. I think its great for people with more serious reasons to go and risk it (see: visiting family) but for a foodie holiday to go dine around Melbourne for a week? No thanks.
Mar 18, 2021, 11:18 pm
#12
Join Date: Feb 2014
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That's one of the sticking points right now. Australia are being completely cavalier about how to handle that and want to "We can sort it out if it comes up" while NZ govt is insisting that some scoping plans *at least* be done.
Mar 18, 2021, 11:25 pm
#13
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Posts: 909
I think the loaded schedule is a bit of a joke. BNE-AKL has quite a few 777 flights loaded in and I highly doubt they're going to pull 777's out of storage just for these trans tasman flights.
Likewise, fares are very expensive and new routes like the HBA-AKL haven't been loaded with the comment they'll be loaded once the bubble is announced. To me it seems Air NZ is hoping that some may book now but fares will 100% come down once Qantas, Virgin and Jetstar all announce their plans.
Likewise, fares are very expensive and new routes like the HBA-AKL haven't been loaded with the comment they'll be loaded once the bubble is announced. To me it seems Air NZ is hoping that some may book now but fares will 100% come down once Qantas, Virgin and Jetstar all announce their plans.
Mar 18, 2021, 11:31 pm
#14
Join Date: Feb 2007
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It looks like they have just loaded Flexi Fares at the moment in place holder flights.
There are 3x 77Ws in short-term storage at AKL, yesterday the two at the hangars look like they had recently been moved an had some of there covers removed.
Also these schedules are reduced from pre-covid eg AKL-BNE was 4x daily.
I think if there is demand we could see a couple of 77W back in service for the Tasman. The 789s have been kept very busy on freight hauls which probably will keep going for most of the year.
AKL-RAR has normal flights loaded from the 12 April, which are all a321NEO and reasonable prices. Expecting RAT bubble to be announced this week, with the Cook Islands PM visit....
There are 3x 77Ws in short-term storage at AKL, yesterday the two at the hangars look like they had recently been moved an had some of there covers removed.
Also these schedules are reduced from pre-covid eg AKL-BNE was 4x daily.
I think if there is demand we could see a couple of 77W back in service for the Tasman. The 789s have been kept very busy on freight hauls which probably will keep going for most of the year.
AKL-RAR has normal flights loaded from the 12 April, which are all a321NEO and reasonable prices. Expecting RAT bubble to be announced this week, with the Cook Islands PM visit....
Mar 19, 2021, 3:05 am
#15
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